Hunter X Hunter

Gon Freaks is finally old enough to escape from Whale Island, where he was raised by his aunt Mito, and take the test to become a Hunter. He is one of hundreds of individuals from all walks of life – some good, some not so good – seeking this prestigious title. However, Gon is driven by more than the wealth and power that most of the test-takers are looking for. Rather, he is trying to find his father, the famed Jin Freaks.

Hunter X Hunter is, without a doubt, one of the best fighting anime I’e ever seen. It has nearly everything one could hope for in the genre: complex characters, excellent action, and a lengthy run that almost never drags.

The original mangaka Togashi Yoshihiro’s fertile imagination is a major part of what makes Hunter X Hunter so special. The series takes place in an unusually rich world, full of hazards and fantastic creatures, that is different enough to spark interest yet similar enough so that the viewer is able to relate. The action is especially well-done: there are no absolutely superpowered, nigh-undefeatable characters. Even when supernatural elements begin to figure into the fight sequences, it avoids the Dragonball Z-styled “my energy ball is larger than your energy ball!”

Fighting isn’t all there is to the series, though. The cast is large but vibrant, with nobody being purely good or purely evil. Even former allies can be ruthless enemies, and nasty serial killers care about their comrades. Gon is a bit too stereotypical a lead – the typical guileless, gifted shounen hero – but the secondary characters more than make up for his failings as a character. Much of the plot revolves around not fighting, but psychological drama from the characters’ respective pasts.

Hunter X Hunter declines a bit in quality after the first arc and doesn’t actually end (presumably in anticipation of the OVA sequel), but it’s a must-see for anyone that doesn’t outright despise shounen genre fighting.